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February 15, 2017 - The Lady Rams will face Evadale in the Area round of the playoffs this Friday, February 17th at 6:00 pm.  The game will be played at Angelina College with the Lady Rams being the visiting team. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for students.  Coaches and district passes will be accepted. Go Lady RAMS!

February 14, 2017 - U.S. Highway 96 just north of Center was the scene of a two-vehicle crash on February 14, 2017 from which one driver currently is being sought.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Keith Jones, at 11:57am a 2003 Ford F-150 driven by Juana Maria Miza Arguello, 38, of Center was northbound on U.S. Highway 96 in the left lane slowed to turn into McAdams Propane just near FM 2026 (Folsom Chapel Road).

As Arguello was preparing to turn, a 2001 gold Saturn driven by an subject unknown at this time, failed to control speed struck the Ford in the rear. Directly following the crash, the driver of the Saturn absconded. The Saturn was registered to Todd Douglas Wilburn of Joaquin.

No injuries were reported as a result of the crash. Arguello was issued a citation for no driver's license.

Assisting DPS Trooper Jones with the investigation was DPS Trooper Sean Smith.

The crash remains under investigation. DPS is seeking any information pertaining to the identity of the driver and anyone with such information is asked to contact the Shelby County Sheriff's Office at 936-598-5600.

February 14, 2017 - Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers and EMS responded to a single-vehicle crash just off State Highway 7 West during heavy rain on Tuesday, February 14, 2017.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers Jesse Fountain and Taylor Buster, sometime around 11am a black 2011 GMC Sierra driven by Jennifer Shaw Murray, 39, of Douglass was westbound on State Highway 7 just past CR 1245 when the Sierra struck water and the truck hydroplaned. The vehicle crossed into the eastbound traffic lanes before leaving the roadway to the left where the truck then traveled up an embankment.

The truck struck small brush as it encountered the embankment before crossing a driveway and striking a tree as the truck rolled to the right and down another embankment where it came to rest in a ditch on its top.

Murray refused treatment at the scene from ACE EMS and no injuries were reported as a result of the crash. Murray was issued a citation for unsafe speed. A wrecker out of Nacogdoches towed the truck from the incident location.

February 14, 2017 - According to the National Weather Service, Shelby County is currently under a tornado watch as of 9:40am until 3pm February 14, 2017. 

All counties included in the watch are Angelina, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, and Tyler.

Additional weather alerts as of 9:13am indicate National Weather Service Doppler radar shows a shield of showers with embedded thunderstorms moving across portions of Deep East Texas, southeast Oklahoma and southern Louisiana. The strongest rain is near New Summerfield, Troup and Arp this convection is moving to the east at 35 mph.

Follow Shelby County Today for further updates should this watch develop into a warning situation.

February 14, 2017 - Following the Sargento Cheese Company recall where select Sargento branded cheeses were recalled due to the potential of being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, Country Fresh, LLC. of Conroe, Texas, is recalling 2,552 cases of various cooking and snacking products (product descriptions attached), that contained Sargento branded cheeses because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The product in question was shipped to retailers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia under the Country Fresh and store brand labels described in the product listing.

The list of products subject to this recall follows:

  • Country Fresh Tuscan Style Mushroom - Foam Overwrap Tray - 74641- 07211 - February 14, 2017 thru February 17, 2017
  • Country Fresh Stuffed Mushrooms    Foam Overwrap Tray - 74641-07207 - February 14, 2017 thru February 17, 2017
  • Southwest Stuffed Mushrooms - Foam Overwrap Tray - 72036-88471 - February 14, 2017 thru February 17, 2017
  • Marketside Garlic Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms - Clamshell - 681131-14821 - February 15, 2017 thru February 17, 2017
  • Ready Fresh Go Fruit and Hatch Pepper Cheese - Clamshell - 41220-03680 - January 19, 2017 thru February 16, 2017

The product bears “BEST IF USED BY” dates between January 19, 2017 (1/19/17) through February 17, 2017 (2/17/17). No products except those on this list are subject to this recall.

To date, no illnesses have been confirmed by public health authorities.

Sargento Cheese advised Country Fresh of the issue and Country Fresh is taking this action in the interest of protecting the public health. “Nothing is more important than ensuring that consumers enjoy nothing but high quality, nutritious, and safe and wholesome products from us” said Bryan Herr, Country Fresh’s President.

Consumers who have purchased any of these products are urged to dispose of the product or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 281-453-3305, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. CDT.

February 13, 2017 - Elizabeth Ann Suell pleaded guilty in the 273rd Judicial District Court with Judge Charles Mitchell presiding on January 19, 2017 to possession of a controlled substance, state jail felony. The offense dates back to November 3, 2011.

In accordance with the agreement three separate cases from 2013, 2015 and 2016 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon were dismissed. Two of these charges were first degree felony charges and one was a second degree felony charge. The range of punishment for a second degree felony is 2 to 20 years in prison and the range of punishment for a first degree felony is 5 to 99 years.

In each of those cases Suell was alleged to have either stabbed or cut someone.

As a result of the plea agreement, Suell was sentenced to 20 months incarceration in state jail with a credit of six days for time served.

Omeisha WilliamsFebruary 13, 2017 - Artesia Radway is no longer at large, she turned herself in to the Shelby County Jail on Friday morning, February 10, 2017.


February 8, 2017 - The discovery of prescription medication in a happy meal sparked a Center PD investigation at McDonalds in Center resulting in the arrest of two suspects.

A report was made to the Center Police Department on Wednesday, January 5, 2017 that a family had traveled through the drive through at the McDonalds located at 813 Hurst St Center Texas on January 4, 2017. 

The family purchased a Happy Meal for their 9-year-old. After they left the drive through window, two prescription Tramadol pills were found in their child’s Happy Meal. Through a month long investigation Detective Stephen Stroud located two suspects who are employees at that McDonalds. 

Detective Stroud did confirm that the two suspected parties 37-year-old Omeisha Williams and 25-Year-old Artshia Radway of Center were responsible for the Tramadol pills being placed into the happy meal. 

Artesia RadwayThe State Health Inspector was contacted and completed a Health inspection of the restaurant on January 31, 2017. On February 7, 2017 Judge Maxie Eaves issued Two Abandon/ Endanger a Child, Felony Two warrants. 

One warrant for Omeisha Williams’ arrest and one for Artshia Radway’s arrest. Williams was arrested on February 07, 2017 and Radway is still at large.

Detective Stroud would like the public to be aware of this incident and urge anyone with any information in regards to Radway’s location to call the Center Police Department.  

Center Crime Stoppers is offering cash reward of up to $1,000 for information. Anyone who has information should call Center Crime Stoppers at 936-598-SAFE (7233) or submit a tip online at www.centercrimestoppers.com. Remember you don't have to give your name. All calls and cash rewards are completely anonymous. Rewards will only be paid on tips submitted through the Center Crime Stoppers system.

February 13, 2017 - Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell reports the body of 46 year-old Michelle Curry Ford, of Logansport, LA. was recovered Feb. 12, 2017 from the Sabine River in Joaquin.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office received a call around 11 a.m. that a property owner along the riverfront observed a body appearing to be a female floating face down in the river. Once officers arrived in the scene the body was recovered and officers with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office identified the victim.

Curry was reported missing Feb. 2, 2017 by the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3 Margie Anderson ordered an autopsy to be performed on the body.

Assisting SCSO Investigator Michael Griffin on the scene were SCSO Deputy Adam Renfro, Texas Parks and Wildlife Officer Anthony King, Constable Pct. 3 Roy Cheatwood and DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Submitted by Leah Chase
http://www.scsotx.org

 

 


February 7, 2017 - An unknown individual appearing to be a white male driver, entered the property of Wright, Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Center on February 6, 2017 at approximately 7:40pm.

The subject was driving a white 4-door Honda Civic. There the subject took several sets of wheel simulators off of the new vehicles, causing an estimated loss of over $5,000.

Center Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information. Anyone who has information regarding this crime should call Center Crime Stoppers at 936-598-SAFE (7233) or submit a tip online at www.centercrimestoppers.com. Remember you don't have to give your name. All calls and cash rewards are completely anonymous. Rewards will only be paid on tips submitted through the Center Crime Stoppers system.

February 7, 2017 - Investigator Chad Brown of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, under the direct supervision of the Shelby County District Attorney, Stephen Shires, on Friday, February 3, 2017 filed charges against Kursti Agnew on two counts of Child Endangerment – based on creating a danger to her children’s mental and emotional state – and one count of false report to a peace officer. She was booked into the Shelby County Jail on Sunday, February 5, 2017, and bonded out that same day.

The charge of false report to a peace officer stems from a report Agnew made to authorities on February 2, 2017, that allegedly contained a number of material untruths. This was the latest salvo in a campaign that Agnew has waged against the family of her children’s father over the past year, either as a part of, or leading up to, what authorities believe is a new round of a custody battle. Over the last year, Agnew has made a number of claims that her children have been abused by a member of their father’s family. These charges have been thoroughly investigated, and found to be wholly untrue. “But that is not why I approved going forward with the charges,” notes Stephen Shires. “There is strong evidence in this case that Ms. Agnew is compelling the children to make false allegations against a member of their father’s family using terms and ideas of an explicit sexual nature that children of these ages should have absolutely no concept about.”

This is the first time that Sheriff Willis Blackwell and Stephen Shires have filed charges for child endangerment based on emotional and mental harm. “I am very concerned about the emotional welfare of these children, and I felt something had to be done,” said Shires. “Plus, as a matter of policy, false reports of this nature take valuable time and resources away from our ability to address legitimate claims of child abuse; it was only after repeated abuses of the system that we decided that we had no choice but to move forward with charges against Ms. Agnew.”

Shires concluded, “District Judge LeAnn Rafferty signed the warrants. She made it very clear that she wanted to make sure that we were not sending a message to the community that would in any way discourage folks from making reports regarding the abuse of children, even if ultimately the concerns are unfounded. As such, Judge Rafferty scrutinized the complaints carefully and was extremely thoughtful and deliberate before signing the warrants. I assured her that this matter was singular in both its egregiousness and seriousness, and that we have a very active and effective Child Advocacy Center, that the Sheriff, Investigator Brown, and I strongly and energetically support.”

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